Flag pole

ABSTRACT

Lower and upper tubes are secured together to provide a flag pole which may be easily disassembled for shipment. When assembled, a single endless cable passes over a lower pulley adjacent a lower opening in the upper tube up within the upper tube to pass over an upper pulley and out an upper opening and thence downwardly exterior of the upper tube back into the lower opening and lower pulley. A flag is secured to the external portion of this endless cable and by rotating the lower pulley as by a motor, the flag is retracted into the lower opening and upwardly within the upper tube. The lower pulley may be coupled by another endless cable extending through a lower tube to a motor in the base of the lower tube.

United States Patent 1191 Murdock 1 Dec. 2, 1975 1 FLAG POLE Robert M. Murdock, 71 1 Adelaide Place, Santa Monica, Calif. 90402 [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 537,360

[761 lnventor:

Primary E.raminerJerry W. Myracle Assistant E.\'aminer-Marcus S. Rasco Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph B. Pastoriza [57] ABSTRACT Lower and upper tubes are secured together to provide a flag pole which may be easily disassembled for shipment. When assembled, a single endless cable passes over a lower pulley adjacent a lower opening in the upper tube up within the upper tube to pass over an upper pulley and out an upper opening and thence downwardly exterior of the upper tube back into the lower opening and lower pulley. A flag is secured to the external portion of this endless cable and by rotating the lower pulley as by a motor, the flag is retracted into the lower opening and upwardly within the upper tube. The lower pulley may be coupled by another endless cable extending through a lower tube to a motor in the base of the lower tube.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US Patent Dec. 2, 1975 f 9 I 9 3 o W l 2 2 3 W FIGZ FLAG POLE This invention relates to flag poles and more particularly, flag poles of the type incorporating automatic means for raising and lowering the flag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flag poles designed to automatically store a flag within a section of the pole when it is not to be displayed together with automatic means for removing the stored flag for flying the same are well known in the art. One of the later patents to issue in this field is US. Pat. No. 3,675,615 to Stangarone et al. issued July 11, 1972. This particular patent as well as the various US. patents cited as references in the patent, provides a good technical description of automatic flag pole development over the last years.

The above-mentioned Stangarone et al. patent constitutes one of the more improved types of automatic flag poles in that the raising and lowering of the flag in an automatic manner is very simple. In this particular patent, there is provided a mid-opening and a halyard arrangement extending through the mid-opening and out the top of the flag pole and thence downwardly externally of the flag pole in an endless manner. The flag itself is secured to the external portion of the halyard and by driving the halyard with suitable pulleys, the flag can be drawn into the mid-opening and upwardly within the top portion of the pole.

An advantage of the foregoing arrangement is not only its simplicity but in addition the flag itself is protected from the elements in that it is stored above the mid-opening through which it is drawn rather than stored below such opening as is the case with some other prior art structures.

Notwithstanding the foregoing advantages, there are still problems with structures of the types such as shown in the Stangarone et al. patent as well as many of the other structures shown in the cited references in that patent. Specifically, there is a problem of bunching of the flag when attempting to withdraw it through a mid-opening after it has been stored. This bunching problem is particularly aggravated by the presence of cables or lines such as the halyard and the appropriate driving system within the storage portion of the pole. For example, the halyard might be moving in one direction while driving cables are moving in another and with the flag being drawn out through the opening by the halyard, entanglement and damage to the flag can result as a consequence of the presence of these several cables in the pole section.

Another problem with automatic flag poles is the difficulty in transporting them over great distances. While the flag poles could be disassembled, when they arrive at a construction site, special workers would be required to reassemble the flag pole and make sure that automatic hoisting and lowering mechanisms were properly operating.

Because of some of the foregoing problems, there has not as yet been wide acceptance of such automatic flag poles in spite of the fact that they have been known for over 20 years.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With the foregoing in mind, the present invention contemplates an improved automatic flag pole wherein the specific problems of bunching of the flag upon insertion or withdrawal and transportation of the overall flag pole are substantially overcome.

Essentially, the flag pole includes lower and upper tubes with means for coupling the tubes together to provide a flag pole, the means permitting disassembly of the tubes for easy transportation. A reversible motor is provided in the lower tube for driving a drum at the upper end of the lower tube accessible when the lower and upper tubes are separated. The upper tube includes a top pulley and a single endless cable or halyard coupled to a central pulley coaxially fixed to the drum.

The upper tube is provided with upper and lower openings juxtaposed the upper pulley and the central pulley such that the halyard or endless cable has only a single section passing up through the upper tube and thence passing out the upper opening and down externally of the upper tube to pass into the lower opening to the central pulley. The upper tube serves as a storage for the flag when the same is drawn in there being no other cables whatsoever in this area so that the risk of bunching is substantially reduced.

,Further improvement features of the present invention include automatic photo cell means for storing or flying the flag depending upon whether it is night or day, spot light means for illuminating the flag at night BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the improved flag pole of this invention will be had by now referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the flag pole with the flag in extended flying position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in cross section of the upper tube portion of the flag pole of FIG. 1 illustrating the flag in stored or retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a front fragmentary view of the lower portion of the upper tube of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows 33;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross section taken in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is a simple schematic circuit diagram of the motor control for automatic operation of the flag pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, the flag pole in its preferred embodiment is supported on a base 10 and is made up of lower and upper tubes 11 and 12. A cover 13 is provided on the upper end of the upper tube 12 as shown.

As indicated by the phantom lines, there is disposed in the lower end of the lower tube a reversible motor 14. A drum 15 in turn is secured adjacent to the upper end of the lower tube 11 so as to be accessible when the tubes are separated. A lower endless cable 16 runs within the lower tube 11 as indicated by the dashed lines to couple the motor to the drum 15 so that the drum 15 will be rotated when the motor is energized.

A central pulley 17 is coaxially fixed to the drum l5 and cooperates with an upper pulley 18 secured adjacent to the upper end of the upper tube 12, the upper tube having lower and upper openings such as indicated at 19 and 20.

The foregoing arrangement is such that an upper endless cable functioning as a halyard and indicated by the dashed lines 21 can pass from the central pulley 17 up through the upper tube and out the upper opening 20 and thence down adjacent to the exterior of the upper tube and thence into the lower opening 19 to the central pulley so that rotation of the central pulley by the drum moves the upper endless cable 21.

A flag 22 is secured to the exterior portion of the upper endless cable 21 as shown. A spot light 23 shown on the base in FIG. 1, may be aimed at the flag 22 for illuminating the same at night if so desired and if for some reason the flag is not to be stored within the upper tube 12.

Referring to the enlarged cross section of FIG. 2, the elements described in FIG. 1 and their cooperation will become clearer. As shown in FIG. 2, the flag 22 of FIG. 1 has been retracted through the lower opening 19 juxtaposed the pulley as a consequence of movement of the upper endless cable 21 by the motor driving the drum 15 by way of cable 16. In the stored position illustrated in FIG. 2, it will be evident that the flag can hang neatly within the upper tube 12 there being only one cable in the form of the halyard 21 passing interiorally of this upper portion. The flag itself is secured to spaced points of the halyard by anti-ravelling attachments 24 and 25.

In order to assure that the flag will be retracted upwardly within the tube a sufficient distance for proper protection and similarly to assure that it will be fully pulled from the lower opening and in a flying, extended position, there are provided first and second microswitches within the upper tube 12 as shown at 26 and 27. These microswitches are secured adjacent to the upper endless cable portion which passes within the upper tube and are interconnected the motor.

First and second enlargement means shown at 28 and 29 on the endless cable 21 are secured to the cable in spaced relationship such that when the flag is fully retracted within the upper tube 12, the first enlargement 28 engages the first microswitch to de-energize the motor and when the flag is fully positioned in its exterior extended flying position, the second enlargement 29 has been moved upwardly over the upper pulley 18 to engage the second microswitch 27 and thereby deenergize the motor.

A suitable spring 30 is interposed in the endless cable 21 so that it can stretch slightly in a resilient manner.

It should be noted in FIG. 2 that the central pulley 15 is provided with upwardly and outwardly extending guide baffles one of which is illustrated at 17a secured to the side of the central pulley 17. These guide baffles will protect the flag further from the elements exposed through the lower opening 19 when in the retracted or stored position illustrated.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, there is provided a photo cell means 31 positioned in the upper cover 13 along with a moisture sensing device 32. These two devices are interconnected with the motor and will automatically serve to retract the flag from its extended flying position to its stored position when it becomes dark or in the event of rain.

Finally, the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an internal heater indicated at 33 within the upper tube 12 which will serve to dry the flag 22 after it has been stored so that in the event of very cold weather, freezing of the flag into a stiff or unmanageable shape is avoided. The heater 33 is interconnected to be energized for a given period of time automatically each time that the flag 22 is retracted.

Collar means 34 couples tubes 11 and 12 together 5 and permits disassembly for easy transportation.

FIG. 3 illustrates the lower opening l9juxtaposed the central pulley 17. The baffle 17a described in FIG. 2 is visible in FIG. 3 and a cooperating baffle 17b on the other side of the central pulley 17 is also shown partially in dotted lines. It will be understood, of course, that the pulley 17 when rotated in one direction will draw the flag under it through the slotted opening 19 into its retracted position whereas rotation in an opposite direction will pull the flag from its retracted position out of the lower opening 19.

FIG. 4 shows the motor 14 together with a cooperating lower drum 35 coupled to the motor through gearing 36 for receiving the lower end of the coupling lower endless cable 16.

The particular arrangement illustrated wherein the drive motor 14, lower drum 35, associated gearing 36 and lower endless cable 16 are all disposed in the lower tube 11 so that minimum components are in the upper tube, the only major moving portion being the halyard or upper endless cable 21 supporting the flag 22. It will be noted as stated heretofore that only a single cable in the form of the halyard 21 ever is present in the upper tube 12 so that there is ample room for storage of the flag 22 and movement into and out of the storage area without bunching.

A further consequence of minimizing the number of cables and other components within the storage portion for the flag is that this upper tube portion need not be of greater diameter than conventional flag poles so that the automatic flag pole of this invention still looks like a flag pole.

In FIG. 4, there is schematically indicated by the block 37 suitable circuitry for controlling automatically the operation of the motor 14, heater 33 described in FIG. 2 and spot light 23 of FIG. 1. This automatic control circuitry is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5 indicated by the arrow 37 wherein the photo cell, moisture sensor device, heater, and spot light have been designated by the corresponding numerals utilized in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Thus, referring specifically to FIG. 5 there are provided input positive and negative power lines 38 and 39. The photo cell 31 and moisture sensor device 32 are shown connected in parallel between the power line 38 and line 40 to a relay switch coil K-l. The other side of this relay switch coil K-l connects to the negative power lead 39 as shown.

Relay coil K-l when energized will simultaneously throw the three switch arms S1, S2 and S3 from their solid line positions shown to the dotted line positions shown.

It will be noted that the drive motor 14 is connected between the switch arms S1 and S2 and that the spot light 23 connects between the switch arm S1 and line 41. This same line 41 connects to common terminals for the down and up microswitches 26 and 27, connections to the switch arms of these microswitches passing to the terminals for the switch arm S3.

The circuit for the heater 33 includes a time delay relay K-2 shown in the upper left of FIG. 5 and relay switch S4 in series with a heater 33. The arrangement is such that the heater 33 is energized for a given time period as controlled by the time delay relay K-2 each time that the flag is moved from its extended flying position to its retracted stored position.

OPERATION In operation, assume that the flag 22 is in its flying position as illustrated in FIG. 1. Under these circumstances, and with reference to FIG. 5, the photo cell 31 presents an open circuit and only becomes a closed circuit at nighttime. The moisture indicator 32 is also an open circuit unless moisture is present. It will therefore be evident that there is no positive power through these components on the line 40 to the relay coil K-l so that the relay coil K-l is de-energized when the flag 22 is in its flying position.

Assume now that it starts raining or that nightfall arrives. In either or both events, one or the other or both of the switches controlled by the photo cell and moisture sensor 31 and 32 will close thereby completing a circuit from the power line 38 to the line 40, through relay coil K-l, back through power line 39 so that relay coil K-1 is energized.

Energization of relay coil K-l will throw the switches S1, S2 and S3 to their dotted line positions and hold them in these positions so long as the relay coil K-l remains energized.

Considering the circuit with the switches S1, S2 and S3 in their dotted linepositions, it will be immediately evident that a circuit is completed across the motor 14 as follows: first, movement of the switch arm S3 tothe right-hand terminal will provide power from lead 38 through the switch arm S-3 and thence downwardly through the microswitch arm 26 to the base line 41 and thence up to the terminal for switch arm S2 which is now in the dotted line position to provide positive voltage to one side of the motor 14. The other power supply for the motor is completed through the switch arm 51 which connects to the common terminal for the negative power line 39 when in the dotted line position.

With the motor energized, it will be driven in a first given or one direction determined by the polarity of the signal applied to the motor 14. It will be noted that this polarity is plus-minus reading from the right side of the motor 14 to the left when the switches are in their dotted line positions and minus-plus when the switches are in their solid line position.

As stated, energization of the motor 14 in the one direction is such as to pull the flag 22 by means of the halyard or upper endless cable 21 into the lower opening 19 around the pulley 17. This motor will continue until the enlargement 28 immediately above the upper securement of the flag 22 to the cable 21 engages the first microswitch 26 as shown in FIG. 2. Microswitch 26 is normally closed and its engagement by enlargement 28 will open the switch 26. In addition, it should be noted that the microswitch 27 is closed since the enlargement 29 has left the arm during the described movement of the halyard.

Referring once again to the lower portion of FIG. 5, it will be understood that the second microswitch arm 27 when it is released by the enlargement 29 in the initial movement in lowering the flag will result in the switch arm 27 moving over to the right hand common contact connecting to lead 40. The first microswitch arm 26 will remain on its particular terminal until the flag is fully retracted within the upper tube so that the enlargement 28 engages the microswitch 26 to open the switch arm 26.

The motor 14 of FIG. 5 will thus continue to operate until such point as the microswitch arm 26 is opened by the enlargement 28 it being immediately evident that the circuit is thus broken through the switch arm S2 to the right hand side of the motor 14 causing the motor to stop. It should be understood that while the switch arm 27 for the second microswitch is closed against the common terminals for the base line 41, since the switch arm S3 is not on this terminal but rather on the dotted line position because of energization of the relay coil K-l no further energy is available for the motor 14.

It will be understood from the foregoing that so long as it is still nighttime so that the photo cell switch is closed, there will still be energy on lead 40 so that relay coil K-l remains energized throughout the entire period that the flag is stored or in its retracted position. Since the switch arm S3 is in its dotted line position when the relay K-l is energized, power is available on line 38 through the switch arm S-3 and thence upwardly to the heater 33 and relay coil K-2, which, as stated, is a time delayrelay coil. Thus the relay coil K-2 will only hold the switch S4 closed for a given period of time; for example, 30 minutes after which the switch is opened so that the heater is turned off.

When morning time arrives, the photo cell 31 will be irradiated with light causing it to open the circuit from the line 38 to the line 40 thereby causing deenergization of the relay coil K-l. Also, if it is raining out, it will be understood that the line 40 and relay coil K-l will remain energized because of the parallel connection even should daytime arise. Thus, it is not possible for the flag to be automatically removed from its stored position to its extended position unless it is both daylight and it is a dry day. In the latter event, both the switches controlled by components 31 and 32 are opened to remove energy from line 40 and de-energize relay coil K-l.

Referring again to the center portion of the drawing, when K-l is de-energized the switches S1, S2 and S3 will return to their solid line positions wherein it will be noted that the motor 14 is again energized with a reversed polarity, positive voltage being supplied to the left portion of the motor 14 through the switch arm S1, base lead 41, the second microswitch arm 27 (which is in its closed position rather than the open position shown in FIG. 5 whenever the flag is stored, it being recalled that the other microswitch arm 26 is in its open position as a consequence of the enlargement 28 bearing there against as described in FIG. 2) and switch arm S3 to the positive power lead 38. The right side of the motor 14 is connected to the negative power lead 39 directly through the switch arm S2.

The motor 14 will thus be energized and since the polarity to its terminals has been reversed from that described heretofore, it will rotate in an opposite direction to pull the flag 22 downwardly and out the lower opening 19 and thence upwardly exterior of the flag pole until the second enlargement 29 passes up over the pulley 18-and engages the microswitch 27 to open this switch.

Referring again to FIG. 5, movement of the switch arm 27 to the solid line position which movement occurs when the microswitch is engaged breaks the circuit from the positive power lead 38 through the switch arm S3 and microswitch arm 27 to the motor via switch arm 51 as described. The first microswitch arm 26 is of course relieved from its open position by removal of the enlargement 28 after the flag 22 is initially drawn downwardly towards the lower opening 19 so that it will assume the solid line position shown in FIG. while the flag is in its extended flying condition as shown in FIG. 1.

It will now be appreciated that all the switches are in their original solid line positions and when the flag is to be stored, the operation is initiated by closing of either the photo cell switch 31 upon arrival of nightfall or the moisture switch 32 should it rain to again energize relay coil K-l.

The spot light 23 is connected into the circuit in such a manner that it will illuminate the flag at nighttime should any failure occur such that the flag is not properly retracted.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the present invention has provided a simplified and improved automatic flag pole wherein because it can be separated into lower and upper tubes it is easy to transport and assemble and further because only a single cable portion exists in the upper tubes storage portion, the risk of bunching and jamming of the flag is minimized.

What is claimed is:

1. A flag comprising, in combination:

a. lower and upper tubes;

b. means for coupling said tubes together to provide a flag pole, said means permitting disassembly of the tubes for easy transportation;

0. a reversible motor in the lower tube;

d. a drum secured adjacent to the upper end of the lower tube so as to be accessible when the tubes are separated;

e. a lower endless cable running within said lower tube coupling said motor to said drum to rotate the same when the motor is energized;

f. a central pulley secured coaxially to said drum;

g. an upper pulley secured adjacent to the upper end of said upper tube, the upper tube having openings at its lower and upper ends juxtaposed respectively to said central and upper pulleys;

h. an upper endless cable passing from said central pulley up through said upper tube and out the upper opening and down adjacent to the exterior of the upper tube and thence into the lower opening to the central pulley so that rotation of the central pulley by the drum moves said upper endless cable; and,

i. a flag secured to the exterior portion of said upper endless cable whereby energization of said motor in one direction rotates the drum and central pulley to thereby retract said flag into said lower opening and up completely within said upper tube whereby said flag is protected from the elements, energization of said motor in an opposite direction causing said upper endless cable to move in an opposite direction to thereby pull said flag out through said lower opening and up along the exterior of said upper tube to an extended flying position.

2. A flag pole according to claim 1, in which said upper endless cable includes a spring means interposed in the cable so that it can stretch slightly in a resilient manner; first and second microswitches secured in said upper tube adjacent to the upper endless cable portion passing within said upper tube and interconnected with said motor; and first and second enlargements secured to said upper endless cable at spaced points such that when said flag is fully retracted within said upper tube, said first enlargement engages said first microswitch to de-energize said motor and when said flag is fully positioned in its exterior extended flying position, said second enlargement engages said second microswitch to de-energize said motor.

3. A flag pole according to claim 2, including photo cell and moisture sensor switch means interconnected with said motor to automatically energize the motor to retract the flag in response to nighttime or the presence of rain.

4. A flag pole according to claim 3, including heater means within said upper tube for drying said flag after it is retracted in response to rain.

5. A flag pole according to claim 4, including a spot light secured to said lower tube and aimed upwardly towards said flag, said spot light being interconnected with said motor so that failure of said motor to effect retraction of said flag at nighttime automatically energizes said spotlight to illuminate said flag.

6. A flag pole according to claim 1 including upwardly and outwardly extending guide baffles on opposite sides of said central pulley for minimizing exposure of the flag when in its retracted position to said lower opening. 

1. A flag comprising, in combination: a. lower and upper tubes; b. means for coupling said tubes together to provide a flag pole, said means permitting disassembly of the tubes for easy transportation; c. a reversible motor in the lower tube; d. a drum secured adjacent to the upper end of the lower tube so as to be accessible when the tubes are separated; e. a lower endless cable running within said lower tube coupling said motor to said drum to rotate the same when the motor is energized; f. a central pulley secured coaxially to said drum; g. an upper pulley secured adjacent to the upper end of said upper tube, the upper tube having openings at its lower and upper ends juxtaposed respectively to said central and upper pulleys; h. an upper endless cable passing from said central pulley up through said upper tube and out the upper opening and down adjacent to the exterior of the upper tube and thence into the lower opening to the central pulley so that rotation of the central pulley by the drum moves said upper endless cable; and, i. a flag secured to the exterior portion of said upper endless cable whereby energization of said motor in one directIon rotates the drum and central pulley to thereby retract said flag into said lower opening and up completely within said upper tube whereby said flag is protected from the elements, energization of said motor in an opposite direction causing said upper endless cable to move in an opposite direction to thereby pull said flag out through said lower opening and up along the exterior of said upper tube to an extended flying position.
 2. A flag pole according to claim 1, in which said upper endless cable includes a spring means interposed in the cable so that it can stretch slightly in a resilient manner; first and second microswitches secured in said upper tube adjacent to the upper endless cable portion passing within said upper tube and interconnected with said motor; and first and second enlargements secured to said upper endless cable at spaced points such that when said flag is fully retracted within said upper tube, said first enlargement engages said first microswitch to de-energize said motor and when said flag is fully positioned in its exterior extended flying position, said second enlargement engages said second microswitch to de-energize said motor.
 3. A flag pole according to claim 2, including photo cell and moisture sensor switch means interconnected with said motor to automatically energize the motor to retract the flag in response to nighttime or the presence of rain.
 4. A flag pole according to claim 3, including heater means within said upper tube for drying said flag after it is retracted in response to rain.
 5. A flag pole according to claim 4, including a spot light secured to said lower tube and aimed upwardly towards said flag, said spot light being interconnected with said motor so that failure of said motor to effect retraction of said flag at nighttime automatically energizes said spotlight to illuminate said flag.
 6. A flag pole according to claim 1 including upwardly and outwardly extending guide baffles on opposite sides of said central pulley for minimizing exposure of the flag when in its retracted position to said lower opening. 